Waxing lyrical at Earth Hour Unplugged

Wellington musicians are joining forces with local environmentalists to show their support for global action against climate change at Earth Hour Unplugged – a candlelit concert in Civic Square this Saturday night (28 March).

Organised by local musicians together with environment groups Gecko, Intersect and the Sustainability Trust, the concert celebrates Earth Hour with performances from a variety of environmentally-concerned musicians. Entry is by koha.

The event will kick off at 7pm with sets from local up-and-coming rock bands Say No to Tango and Afternoon Raj, along with Auckland-based alt-rockers Citizen Cadre. Then at 8.30pm the plug will be pulled on the event for a one-hour acoustic jam session with members of the acclaimed Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra alongside session musicians and anyone else who turns up with an instrument.

Wellington City Council's Climate Change Portfolio Leader, Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer, says he's thrilled local musicians are getting behind Earth Hour. "Music has often been a powerful tool to bring about social change – and that's exactly what Earth Hour's all about. It's a global call to action to save our planet from the worst effects of climate change."

Cr Ahipene-Mercer, a long-time musician himself, says he hopes plenty of people bring along instruments for the jam session too. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate Earth Hour – I'll certainly be bringing my guitar along."

British High Commissioner George Fergusson says tackling climate change doesn't just make moral sense, it makes economic sense too. "Earth Hour will be fun but it underlines a much more serious message for the globe."

Organised by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Earth Hour is a global event encouraging people to switch off their lights for one hour at 8.30pm on Saturday 28 March to show their support for action on climate change.

WWF will erect interactive ‘pledge boards' in Manners Mall for members of the public to sign their name and Earth Hour pledge – that is, what you'll do for Earth Hour or what action you'll take for the environment in your everyday life. The board will be up from 7am-6pm tomorrow (Friday 27 March) and 11am-2pm on Saturday (28 March).

Wellington is an official Earth Hour partner city and the City Council, WWF and the British High Commission are encouraging our city's people and businesses to get behind the event and switch off.

Sign up on the Earth Hour website - www.earthhour.org/newzealand - and be in the draw to win a Toyota Prius.

Please note that this event will be held in Civic Square from 7-10pm. It was incorrectly reported in The Capital Times yesterday that this will be held in the Soundshell at the Botanic Gardens.